Section 1 pg. 1-58 (Shandell)


1. commissary (pg. 8) - a dining room or cafeteria
In the story this was talking about having a bill that needs paid "down at the commissary". So, I figured it had something to do with utility bills or something like that, but it makes sense that it's about food.
2. inordinate (pg. 8) - not within reasonable limits; excessive.
The author says she had "inordinate rage" toward cotton pickers, so I thought it may have meant excessive. I guess I was right!
3. vittles (pg. 9) - my dictionary said it's an older term that means "victuals" or food supplies or provisions.
The book used this in the context of "get vittles and load". I had no idea what it meant.
4. abacuses (pg. 10) - a device for making arithmetic calculations, consisting of a frame set with rods on which balls or beads are moved.
I think I've seen one of these before, I just didn't know what it was called.
5. rancor (pg. 11) - bitterness, hatred, malice
The book used this as "she seemed to hold no rancor for the babysitter", so I guessed it meant rage, or to hold a grudge.
6. rakishly (pg. 17) - dissolute; careless
"The used-to-be sheriff sat rakishly astraddle his horse." I assumed it meant proud, or something like that.
7. anachronism (pg. 21) - It means something or someone is in the wrong time historically or chronologically.
The sentence before this word was used was talking about an independent black man, so I assumed it had something to do with irony. After I read the definition, it also made sense. The man was independent at a time before many others were.
8. opulent (pg. 25) - possessing or exhibiting great wealth.
"rich and opulent" I assumed it had something to do with wealth, quality, or money.



Section 2 pg. 59-116- (Melissa)

1). gaudy (pg 71)- cheaply showy in a tasteless way; flashy.

2). flippant (pg 89)-Chiefly Dialect . nimble, limber, or pliant.

3). query (pg 71)-mental reservation; doubt.

4) sullenness (pg 88)-
showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence or reserve

5). competently (pg 96) - having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience

6). voile (pg 93)- a lightweight, semisheer fabric of wool, silk, rayon, or cottonconstructed in plain weave.

7). barrenness (pg 107)- not producing or incapable of producing offspring

8). debutante (pg 104)- a young woman making a debut into society




Section 3 pg. 117-174 (Shandell)

1. masochists pg. 121 - one who finds gratification from pain, deprivation, or degradation
2. contrapuntal pg. 137 - composed of two or more relatively independent melodies sounded together
3. expeditious pg. 145 - acting with speed and efficiency
4. mulled pg. 150 - to go over extensively in the mind
5. patronage pg. 155 - a condescending manner or attitude
6. imperceptibly pg. 157 - something very slight, gradual, or subtle
7. solicitous pg. 162 - careful or particular
8. ordurous pg. 163 - (like horrid) excrement

Section 5 pg. 233-end (Shandell)

1. aromatic pg. 234 - fragrant or sweet-scented
2. unobtrusively pg. 234 - inconspicuous
3. ominous pg. 237 - portending evil or harm
4. imminent pg. 288 - likely to occur at any moment
5. capriciousness pg. 286 - fanciful or witty, it could also mean subject to, led by, or erratic. Both fit with the context of how it's used.
6. pretentious pg. 244 - making an exaggerated outward show, ostentatious
7. tedium pg. 257 - the quality or state of being wearisome
8. anesthetized pg. 263 - to render physically insensible


Section 4 pages 175-232-Melissa

1. punchy (pg 177)- being or appearing vigorously effective; forceful.
*His invocation was brief and punchy, and for a second I thought we were getting back on the high road to right action* the word in this sentence means that it was a very brief and too the point invocation.

2. palpable (pg 181)- capable of being touched or felt; tangible
*The ugliness they left was palpable.* This means that the way they used the word was very hurtful, and almost cruel.

3. valedictory (pg 182)- any farewell address or oration.
*Henry Reed was giving his valedictory address...* In this sentence the word "valedictory" is used as a noun.

4. flounced (pg 192)- to go with impatient or impetuous, exaggerated movements
*...and i happily flounced into the Store.* this is used as a verb in this sentence, pertaining to the book.

5. lax (pg 203)- not strict or severe; careless or negligent
  • The word pertaining in the book is a adjective and is "laxing morals"*

6. gauche (pg 211)-lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkward; crude; tactless
*The air of collective displacement, the impermanence of life in wartime and the gauche personalities of the more recent arrivals...*

7. allegiances (pg 218)- the loyalty of a citizen to his or her government or of a subject to his or her sovereign
*The allegiances I owed ar this time in my life would have made very strange bedfellows.*

8. uproariously (pg 231)- characterized by or in a state of uproar; tumultuous
*He had laughed uproariously when Dolores didn't answer my goodbye and I explained as we drove away that she hadn't heard.*